Year Archive for 2008
KAWAII GOTH OUTFIT: BANANA FISH GHOST DRESS, CUTE CAT SCARF & BUNNY PURSE.
La Carmina is in serious need of a kawaii intervention – and no, I’m not talking about the boy (who actually looks quite Marilyn Manson-esque in this photo. Only Jimi can pull off the no-pupils look without contacts or Photoshop.) These are outtakes from our visit to Christon, the Jesus-themed restaurant in Shibuya… you’ll have to wait until the book comes out to see the rest.
Back to the subject at hand: cute overload. I’ve become obsessed with clothes that look like adorable animals or anime denizens. It began with a black faux-fur scarf with a fox’s head attached, which I found at Shibuya 109 (aka Gal Heaven) but could not afford (it was around $210). Fortunately, I found a $20 substitute in a Shimokitazawa accessories shop. Can’t you picture Oscar Wilde making a late entrance at a party with a dead purple cat draped around his neck?
On the same trip to Shimokitazawa, I fell for this $70 Banana Fish one-piece dress. The store clerk explained that the “pockets” were entirely non-functional and represented this ghostly creature’s “flippers”; I immediately took out my credit card. The black bunny purse is a $20 find from Key Word in Odaiba. Rounding out the outfit: an old Muji top and black knee socks with diamond cut-outs.
It’s pretty clear that I need a kawaii intervention. I also need to wean myself from Excelsior Caffe’s soy lattes…. but they’re just so delicious!
I’m digging Banana Fish’s new Halloween-inspired collection. It appears that Basil Farrow is not the only cat in a top hat (do add him on Facebook if you haven’t already). John Entwistle (bassist of The Who) would appreciate the femur / tibula leggings.
I can’t get enough of the brand’s Monster Party print, which is used in a halter, puff skirt, and asymmetrical leggings. I’m tempted by the leggings in black and white… what do you think I should splurge on?
Tomorrow, you’ll see how I Goth-ed up the Banana Fish dress for Alamode Night with DJ Chihiro!
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HARAJUKU GIRLS TOKYO SHOPPING GUIDE: WILD, CUTE GOTHIC LOLITA PUNK STORES.
Now that we’ve thoroughly dissected Marui Young Shinjuku, let’s turn our attention to Harajuku. I’ve visited and photographed basically every Gothic Lolita Rococo Punk shop in the district, as well as Laforet department store. We’ll visit each in turn – but first, an intro.
Harajuku is easy to access on the JR Yamanote Line (two stops south of Shinjuku, one stop north of Shibuya). You’ll spot rainbow-colored hair and piercings as soon as you exit the station. Follow the teens ahead to the main shopping street (Takeshita Doori), and you’ll be overwhelmed by the sardine-stacks of Goth Loli Punk overflowing into the side streets. You’ll eventually hit Meiji Doori; Laforet is on the right. Keep going straight and you’ll get lost in a maze of even more shops.
Visiting Harajuku feels like following the White Rabbit into Wonderland. Punk plaids and Loli lace are everywhere you turn, but there’s plenty of streetwear, cutesy decora, and romantic.
There are a number of vintage stores in the mix. My favorite (and probably the largest) is Kinji on Meiji Doori; I saw a skull-sweater by Black Peace Now hanging over a row of leather skirts. Don’t shy away from no-name boutiques; many of them carry Lolita-esque gems.
These kurololis (all-black-wearing Lolitas) are browsing Halloween goods at Claire’s – yes, Claire’s! The selection of cheap jewelry is much better here than in the West. I was struck by their towering doll-like platforms and corseted skirts.
You are certain to spot at least a dozen full Lolita outfits. Many girls went shopping in pairs.
Harajuku is too much to handle on a single visit, so try to go back several times if possible. I suggest wandering around aimlessly on your first trip, rather than stressing over finding specific stores; you’ll probably stumble upon them in your explorations. Last word of advice: watch out for vampires!
LA CARMINA
